Why is my rabbit not keeping himself clean?

[Bunny Mummy]

Hi

I have two 8 month old Netherland dwarfs.Teddy and Jasper. They are adorable but unfortunately we had to separate them at 6 months (although they are brothers) because little Jasper was trying to beat Teddy up! Since then Jasper has been castrated and we hope to get them back together at some point but have not achieved it yet. We are hoping not to have to castrate Teddy as well as he is the calm one but Jasper doesn't seem to have calmed an awful lot.....and we are wondering if doing Teddy as well will help or not as we don't want to do it unnecessarily if they still don't get back together! Also poor Teddy now suffers with conjunctivitis when he gets stressed but we have that under control. We have now noticed that Jasper doesn't seem to be keeping his bottom very clean. He has bright orange wee which we think he has always had but since he has been separate he seems to have a permanent orange bottom which is sometimes wet as well...when they were together they were both litter trained but now Jasper seems to wee everywhere but the litter tray and then sits in it! Any ideas anyone please?

 

[Blue eyes]

How long since the neuter?

 

[JBun]

Peeing everywhere when it didn't used to happen, can be a sign of a medical problem, particularly if it is dribbling out, he's constantly having to pee, there is increased thirst/urination, there is blood in his urine, he is straining to pee, or there are sores around his genitals or face. He could have a UTI, bladder calcium build up, rabbit syphilis, or possibly even e. cuniculi. If it is a medical issue he would need to see a vet and get the proper rabbit safe antibiotic(baytril, septrin) if a UTI, or the proper treatment if something else.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/urinary.html
https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/ve...s-that-have-been-recommended-by-rabbit-owners
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

You have to wait 4-8 weeks post neuter for the hormones to die down, otherwise they will still show signs of hormonal behavior. Unless Teddy is almost completely non hormonal, he would need to be neutered too and wait the 4-8 weeks for the hormones to die down before attempting bonding. Otherwise if you don't get him neutered and he is hormonal enough to pester your other bun excessively, this can lead to the other rabbit getting fed up and a fight occurring. And sometimes once a serious fight has occurred, they never forget and will never bond.

If the peeing everywhere isn't a health problem, it could be due to the separation, or it could still be territorial hormonal marking if they are in areas near each other and it's still less than 4-8 weeks post neuter. If they are in pens next to each other, sometimes placement of the litter box can make a difference. If he seems to pee in one spot more often, place a litter box there. Or even add several more litter boxes until you get this sorted. It should subside as his hormones go down if it's territorial marking, or you may need to completely separate them into different areas with no contact until the hormones have subsided and you are ready to rebond them. If it's not territorial marking but that he's upset about being separated, then it should improve once you properly can bond them back together.
https://www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/

 

[Bunny Mummy]

How long since the neuter?

Just over 6 weeks.....

 

[Bunny Mummy]

Peeing everywhere when it didn't used to happen, can be a sign of a medical problem, particularly if it is dribbling out, he's constantly having to pee, there is increased thirst/urination, there is blood in his urine, he is straining to pee, or there are sores around his genitals or face. He could have a UTI, bladder calcium build up, rabbit syphilis, or possibly even e. cuniculi. If it is a medical issue he would need to see a vet and get the proper rabbit safe antibiotic(baytril, septrin) if a UTI, or the proper treatment if something else.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/urinary.html
https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/ve...s-that-have-been-recommended-by-rabbit-owners
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

You have to wait 4-8 weeks post neuter for the hormones to die down, otherwise they will still show signs of hormonal behavior. Unless Teddy is almost completely non hormonal, he would need to be neutered too and wait the 4-8 weeks for the hormones to die down before attempting bonding. Otherwise if you don't get him neutered and he is hormonal enough to pester your other bun excessively, this can lead to the other rabbit getting fed up and a fight occurring. And sometimes once a serious fight has occurred, they never forget and will never bond.

If the peeing everywhere isn't a health problem, it could be due to the separation, or it could still be territorial hormonal marking if they are in areas near each other and it's still less than 4-8 weeks post neuter. If they are in pens next to each other, sometimes placement of the litter box can make a difference. If he seems to pee in one spot more often, place a litter box there. Or even add several more litter boxes until you get this sorted. It should subside as his hormones go down if it's territorial marking, or you may need to completely separate them into different areas with no contact until the hormones have subsided and you are ready to rebond them. If it's not territorial marking but that he's upset about being separated, then it should improve once you properly can bond them back together.
https://www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/

Hi Thanks for that very full reply. I am confident it is not a medical issue as there are none of the signs that you have pointed out. I am going to get a couple more litter trays and keep an eye on the situation. May have Teddy done too if things don't improve, although they did have quite a big fall out before Christmas so it may be that they will never get back together which is sad considering how well they got on......I have a new hutch which will house them both either together or separately now and will see how things go......

 

[Binky]

I also have two Netherland Dwarf bunnies (female). They were 6 months and 7.5 months when they were spayed. The 7.5 month-old came through without issue. The 6 month-old kept getting bladder infections.
After a few months the vet conceded that it was caused by adhesions that has formed after the spay. The vet suggested another surgery to remove the adhesions. I declined, stating that my bunny would likely develop more adhesions after another surgery.
Outcome: My bunny grew a bit larger, which seems to have changed the position of the bladder. She has fewer bladder infections but still leaks urine. Her fur in that area is always wet so I keep it shaved.
Kind of a pain, but she is an otherwise happy, healthy, and active bunny.
(Note: Our vet is a specialist and treats LOTS of rabbits. I don't blame
the vet... Stuff happens)

 

[Bunny Mummy]

I also have two Netherland Dwarf bunnies (female). They were 6 months and 7.5 months when they were spayed. The 7.5 month-old came through without issue. The 6 month-old kept getting bladder infections.
After a few months the vet conceded that it was caused by adhesions that has formed after the spay. The vet suggested another surgery to remove the adhesions. I declined, stating that my bunny would likely develop more adhesions after another surgery.
Outcome: My bunny grew a bit larger, which seems to have changed the position of the bladder. She has fewer bladder infections but still leaks urine. Her fur in that area is always wet so I keep it shaved.
Kind of a pain, but she is an otherwise happy, healthy, and active bunny.
(Note: Our vet is a specialist and treats LOTS of rabbits. I don't blame
the vet... Stuff happens)

That's interesting....I wonder if it is down to the surgery...maybe worth me having a word with the vet...thanks for that...